If you mainly reheat meals
In a kitchenette, if you mostly heat up leftovers and ready meals or defrost food, a compact solo microwave keeps the controls and functions simple. Just make sure your dishes fit inside.
Which option is right for you?
If you want to brown food occasionally
If you mainly use your microwave but would also like to brown a gratin or toast, consider a model with a grill. A grill is useful for occasional browning, but on its own it doesn’t provide convection cooking.
If you don’t have a usable oven
In a holiday home or temporary kitchen, a combination microwave with convection is worth considering if you plan to cook regularly. However, make sure its size, weight and installation requirements suit the space you have in mind.
What should you check before buying?
First decide whether you need to reheat, brown food or cook regularly. Then check that the appliance and your dishes will actually fit in the space available.
Solo microwave
Choose this: if you need to reheat and defrost, but don’t usually need to brown food.
Limitation: it has neither a grill nor convection cooking.
Microwave with grill
Choose this: if you want to brown or grill food from time to time, as well as reheat it.
Limitation: a grill doesn’t mean the appliance has convection cooking.
Combination microwave
Choose this: if you use convection regularly and don’t have another oven.
Bear in mind: according to the manufacturers’ specifications, the Whirlpool MCP349WH is deeper and heavier than the solo Panasonic NN-E20JW.
| Criterion | What to check | What consumers say |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the width, depth and height, and allow for the door to open; check the instructions to make sure the vents remain clear. | With a narrow worktop, I need to be able to install the appliance without blocking its ventilation. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this space constraint. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Compare the power settings and turntable diameter with the dishes you usually use. | For simple meals and minimal washing-up, I mainly want to reheat food and defrost without having to navigate lots of settings. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Cooking without an oven | Know the difference between a grill and convection cooking, and check which accessories you’ll need for your recipes. | Without another usable oven, I want to be able to brown or cook the dishes I make regularly. Around 30% of consumers put this cooking option first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on capacity alone
External dimensions and the size of your dishes matter too. According to the Panasonic France and Whirlpool France specifications, the solo NN-E20JW is 33 cm deep, compared with 49.4 cm for the combination MCP349WH.
Measure your worktop, allow for the door to open and check the size of your largest dish. Then check the turntable and cavity dimensions of the model you’re considering.
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Buying a combination microwave just to reheat food
Grill and convection functions won’t be useful if you only reheat and defrost, and you’ll still need to find room for the appliance in your kitchen.
Start with the meals you usually eat: compare solo models first if you don’t plan to brown food or cook regularly without an oven.
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Saving space by blocking the vents
Electrolux’s instructions for the EMZ421MM models say not to block the ventilation openings or the surface underneath the freestanding appliance.
Follow the installation instructions for the exact model you buy rather than squeezing it into an improvised alcove.
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Putting your old appliance in household rubbish
In France, used microwaves must be disposed of through the electrical and electronic equipment collection scheme, according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
Take the appliance to a collection point or recycling centre, or ask a retailer about take-back options.
Brands and ranges to consider
Panasonic
The NN-E20JW and NN-K10JW illustrate the choice between a solo model and a grill model for everyday use.
- According to Panasonic France, both models have 800 W microwave power and dial controls; the NN-K10JW also has a 1,000 W quartz grill.
- Check the turntable diameter and the dimensions of the exact model before choosing between the two.
Electrolux
The freestanding EMZ421MMK is worth considering if you want to combine microwave and grill functions.
- Electrolux France’s specifications list microwave, grill and microwave-with-grill modes.
- Don’t confuse these modes with convection cooking if your dishes need it.
Whirlpool
The freestanding MCP349WH is a combination model to consider if you don’t have another oven and want convection cooking.
- Whirlpool France lists a grill and forced-air mode for this model.
- Its dimensions of 52 × 49.4 × 30.1 cm and weight of 18.6 kg should be checked against the space available and any need to move it.
Microwaves available on Joybuy
These models cover reheating and defrosting with solo appliances, as well as occasional browning with models that have a grill. Choose according to how you’ll use yours, then check the dimensions and installation instructions for the model you select.
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Beko MGC20100B1, microwave with grill, 20 L
Worth considering if you mainly reheat and defrost but would also like to brown food occasionally. The specifications list 700 W microwave power and an 800 W grill; check the instructions for the space needed to install it.
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COMFEE CM-E202CC(BK), solo microwave, 20 L
For reheating and defrosting in a small kitchen, without the need for a grill. This 700 W model offers 11 power levels and defrosting by weight or time. Check its external dimensions of 440 × 319 × 259 mm against your available space, and make sure your dishes fit on the turntable.
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Samsung MS23K3513, solo microwave, 23 L
Worth considering for reheating and defrosting if your dishes need a 28.8 cm turntable. This is a solo model, so if you want to brown food, look for an appliance with a grill. Check the instructions to allow enough space for ventilation.
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Whirlpool MWP 101 W, solo microwave, 20 L
For reheating and defrosting with straightforward controls, without the need to brown food. It has a stated power of 700 W and external dimensions of 452 × 362 × 262 mm. Check that it fits your space and follow the instructions for ventilation.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, microwave with grill, 25 L
Worth considering if you want to reheat, defrost and occasionally brown food, but don’t need convection cooking. The grill is rated at 1,000 W. Allow space for its dimensions of 55 × 42 × 34 cm, and check the instructions for the exact model before installation.
Frequently asked questions
How much space should you leave around a freestanding microwave?
Follow the clearances and instructions for your model rather than relying on a measurement that supposedly applies to every microwave. For example, Electrolux’s instructions for the EMZ421MM models say not to block the vents or the surface underneath the appliance. Also allow room for the door to open.
Can you use a microwave with a grill as an oven?
A grill can brown or cook the top of food, but having one doesn’t guarantee a convection mode. If you want to cook regularly without another oven, check that the combination model you’re considering specifically has this mode and that its dimensions suit your dishes.
What containers can you use to reheat food?
Choose a container marked as suitable for the cooking mode you’re using. For microwave use, avoid metal utensils and check that plastic containers are labelled as microwave-safe; not all plastics are suitable.
Where can you take an old microwave in France?
Dispose of it through the electrical and electronic equipment recycling scheme. The Ministry for Ecological Transition lists collection points, recycling centres and retail outlets as places where you can drop it off.
What should you do if a new microwave doesn’t conform to its specification?
Contact the seller with the model reference and a description of the fault. In France, the Consumer Code, published by Légifrance, states that the seller is responsible for defects in conformity that existed when the goods were delivered and come to light within two years of delivery.